Appetite for “More” at FSB Women Cornwall Conference

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March, attendees at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Women Cornwall Conference enjoyed an inspirational day on Tuesday 27th February at the stunning Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes. Each of the nine speakers, all from diverse backgrounds with incredible stories, led truly passionate, open, candid and very personal sessions which kept the 70 attendees enthralled.

The room was packed with delegates, all keen to benefit from the experience of amazing businesswomen like Jill Stein. The feedback from the event was incredible and plentiful, especially on social media where attendees were posting all day about their delight at the whole experience. Comments such as;

Emma Jones said; “It was fantastic, blown away by all of the women and their inspiring stories, so many things to think about.”

The workshops in the afternoon also contained extremely useful practical help and advice to take away. Tips on using social media and getting your business online (led by Mish Poynter of Mish Online) and how to get the most out of networking and making that all important first impression (led by Suzie Smith of Piece of Cake Communications) gave attendees a chance to get to know each other and was a real catalyst to conversations and connections that will last long after the event had finished. This was a clear demonstration of the appetite for business women to get together, to share and learn and gain confidence from each other in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Ann Vandermeulen, FSB Cornwall Development Manager said;

“Our speakers were amazing, we are so indebted to them for their insight, wisdom and fun. We are also grateful to our sponsors Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership for their generous sponsorship and to Hotel Tresanton who worked their socks off for us. Every piece of feedback has been so positive and we are really proud of what took place at this special event. We also plan to do more so watch this space!”

A few highlights were, Helen Walbey (Recycle Scooters, Chair of both FSB Equality and Diversity and FSB Women Taskforce) sharing her morning “Wonder Woman” routine, which everyone will now be doing and Amanda Winwood (Made for Life Organics) and Jill Stein (The Seafood Restaurant) who were the most brilliant, insightful and memorable double act.

Delegates also heard a range of great advice like “speak don’t email”, “be kind”, “surround yourself with supporters & ask for help”, “go with your gut instinct then do it!” and the final tip from Bini Ludlow (Sweet Cumin and FSB Women Taskforce South West), “don’t phone buyers on a Monday or a Friday, pick the best time to contact the people you need on your side!”. Rachel Jones (Fit n Fun Kids) inspired with how she has managed some tough challenges in life and turned them into success and Annie Vernon (twice Olympic Silver Medallist and World Champion Rower) encouraged everyone to talk about the business and focus on the success not the gender.

More feedback, real-time comment on the days’ action from attendees and photos can be found on Twitter @FSBCornwall, @FSB Women and #FSBWomenCornwall. Now FSB Cornwall have issued a call to action to all of the counties business women to join the conversation, get in touch, keep in touch, share their experience and support each other.